UMD Sports Medicine InternshipGabriella Pilarski

Gabriella.pilarski@gmail.com I Science Discovery and the Universe I Kinesiology Major

Introduction

Future WorkImpact

Activities

Thank you to Allie Boll, Melissa Pforr, Shanteisha Pruitt, the Xfinity staff, the entire Sports Medicine department and the SDU Staff

Working with the University of Maryland Sports Medicine and Athletics Departments taught me a lot about the division of the many responsibilities it takes to keep a sports team healthy. I was exposed to all sorts of specialized equipment, and learned about how much athletes do to remain fit as well as how many hours go into maintaining a Division I sports team. I also learned about all the effort it takes to keep a medical facility up and running, from keeping all the supplies stocked, to making sure all the equipment is working. Lastly, I learned that wearing khakis is okay.

At my internship I assisted athletes with their rehabilitation exercises and performed rehab treatments on athletes. I used modalities like electric stimulation, cupping, and ultrasound. I learned how to operate machines like the alter-g treadmill. I also learned how to set up facilities for games and practices, make flu shots, and how to make a mean ice bag.

For my Scholars practicum I interned with the University of Maryland Sports Medicine program. I shadowed athletic trainers to learn about their responsibilities, helped maintain their facilities and assisted athletes with their treatments.

This internship has given me a lot to think about in terms of what I want to do with my future. I deeply enjoyed learning about the physical training required to play competitive sports and how such training impacts the body. Watching how athletes learn to manage their injuries and all the types of treatment athletic trainers can provide for them makes me certain I want to pursue a career in medicine. I am unsure if I want to pursue a career in Athletic Training or aim for medical school. What I know for certain is that I want to continue to work with athletes, and I definitely want to continue with this internship.

Making flu shots to be administered to athletes

Practicing a combo of electric stimulation and ultrasound

A fellow intern tests out the Alter-G treadmill

Maryland logo provided by University of Maryland. All other photos provided by Gabriella Pilarski